Rockin’ Recipient Advisory Committee

Mark Hublar – 2018 Rockin’ Recipient

Mark J. Hublar was born in 1964 with Down syndrome. The doctors told his parents to “Put him in an institution.” His parents said, “We’re taking him home!” With the support of his family, Mark has held several different jobs as a reliable employee. He has been a partner in two different businesses, and now has his own business as a motivational speaker.

He has been an advocate for people with disabilities almost all his life. He has spoken to businesses, schools, parents, and self-advocates to help them understand that people with disabilities also have abilities. That they can be great employees, contribute to society, and reach their full potential if they are just given a chance. His goal is to help everybody with a disability have a real job and a real life. Mark graduated from Jefferson Community Technical College with a three-year degree in Public Speaking. In addition, he successfully completed the Business Leadership Series training classes at the Indiana Institute of Disability and Community at Indiana University.

He has been an advocate for people with disabilities almost all his life. He has spoken to businesses, schools, parents, and self-advocates to help them understand that people with disabilities also have abilities. That they can be great employees, contribute to society, and reach their full potential if they are just given a chance. His goal is to help everybody with a disability have a real job and a real life. Mark graduated from Jefferson Community Technical College with a three-year degree in Public Speaking. In addition, he successfully completed the Business Leadership Series training classes at the Indiana Institute of Disability and Community at Indiana University.

He has lobbied members of Congress on Capitol Hill to pass important legislation, including the ABLE Act. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible individuals with disabilities. Mark has worked with the Arc of Indiana in presenting a program that enables special needs individuals to transition from workshops into mainstream jobs. He has also worked with the Arc of Indiana in presenting a program that educates individuals on opportunities for independent living. He was a team leader for the “Work to Include” (WTI) Initiative, promoting its vital services which includes a billboard campaign in Southern Indiana. Work to Include is an extremely important initiative that advances employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He is currently a member of Mark is currently working with the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC); a center located within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) at Indiana University. In collaboration with the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS), the CCLC is heading up the formation of a Family Employment First Coalition (FEFC). The Family Employment First Coalition will be comprised of key family and disability advocacy organizations throughout the state of Indiana. The Coalition’s mission is to collaboratively improve the knowledge and efforts of each organization as well as create meaningful change in transition to adulthood and competitive integrated employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities in Indiana.

Along the way, Mark has been recognized by several high-profile organizations for his contributions to the advancement of individuals with disabilities. Some of these include the following:

• “Citizen of the Year” – Down Syndrome of Louisville
  • “Imagine Award” – Rauch, Inc.
  • “Star Award” – Down Syndrome Indiana
  • “Wendy M. Wood Award” – Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
  • “Scholarship Recipient” – Ruby’s Rainbow
  • “Scholarship Recipient” – National Down Syndrome Society
  • “Laura Lee Self-Advocate Leadership Award” – Helen A. Keller Institute for Human Disabilities
  • “Face of Compassion- Hero working on the front lines of compassion” – Center for Interfaith Relations
  • “Honorary Diploma and Community Service Award” – Our Lady of Providence High School

Mark now offers a book that shares in detail his life’s journey. From escaping the institutions at the time of his birth, to informing and inspiring audiences across the country. Mark’s biography brings hope and
encouragement to anyone who reads it. You can learn more about Mark and order his book by going to his website: www.markjhublarspeaks.com

“…when Mark was born, if people had known what he would go on to do and achieve in life, it would have blown their minds!!” – Liz Plachta, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Ruby’s Rainbow

Taryn Stinson – 2017-2019 Rockin’ Recipient

Hi my name is Taryn Stinson and I’m a 3 year recipient of Ruby’s Rainbow.

I attended at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), and I received a scholarship from Ruby’s Rainbow to help me pay for college.

I was a student at UNCD in the Beyond Academics Program for 4 years and I graduated in 2019.

Now I’m living independently with a roommate that I live and we always have fun together.

I am back in VR now, to help me to get a job again. I always love working and it keeps me busy.

In the meantime, I like hanging out with my roommate, my boyfriend, and my other friends at Hickory and Greensboro and Canada.

I love knitting and making hats.

I take part in Special Olympics, in these sports, tennis, bowling, and swimming.

KEEP ON ROCKING RUBY